First time on the metro rail since the pandemic began. Despite massive government looting and the dismantling of much of the infrastructure, the new trains do feel much better than the postwar stuff that my ma also used in uni. Though there’s a big gap and step up from the platform to the door which is inaccessible for many people with disabilities and is sure to cause accidents.

Having this guy back is such an extraordinary relief. 3 weeks to the day. Despite spreading the word all over the neighbourhood and the peninsula (to the extent that people were excitedly asking me in the street whether I’d heard he’d been found), he was finally found 28 meters from where he sleeps on our bed. The house diagonally opposite is a sprawling complex of buildings with high wall. He likely entered through the open garage door and then, being scared to reveal himself to anyone, never took advantage of anyone coming or going to escape. So he hid around the property until he was finally trapped in the gym and was spotted behind the toilet bowl in its small washroom. Luckily I’d given a flyer to that resident about ten days or so ago and he went about getting hold of me. He’s healthy (and not the fat chap he was) and delighted to be home - not so his sister who was enjoying the best three weeks of her life😂 The support from the neighbourhood was extraordinary. I got to know them a little better. Obz is kinder and more diverse than I imagined. ...

Last Tuesday at my bird count with Jane. It’s been a miserable anxious week with my boy cat Crumb missing without trace since last Monday. We did see a bittern after the count though, which is still an absolute treat.

If you’re in Cape Town, please send me pics of any cat matching this description. Grey, marble - not stripe - tabby. Grey feet. Grey throat and chest. No collar. Only white just around nose. Belly pouch. Large, neutered male. Cash reward for info leading to his return.

Winter is sweeping in early this year. It’s been a bit dreary since late February.

Friday night was my second metal night of the year. It’s getting weird. Most of the metal I ever listen to at home is proto-metal, borderline rock, like Black Sabbath and Motörhead. But the bands are so damn committed and the fans so wholesome that it’s about the best live rock music experience you can have in CT. @bulletscript and @boargazmofficial absolutely rocked. The sound was truly deafening . And it was a fantastic evening out thanks to the invite from @sad_ivan.

It’s been a few moons since my last windmill to blockhouse walk. And wouldn’t you know, the windmill is complete. Fully restored at last. Ok maybe they still have one sail to raise. It was the Cape Argus cycle race - which I’d forgotten. It’s South Africa’s most prestigious race. I’m a what? A bicyclist rather than a cyclist. I have mixed feelings about the sports cycling community. They are arguably a hindrance weirdly to bicycles being prioritised as a mode of transport. But the distaste for them frequently goes dangerously too far.

A mess of hippos.

Internet was out all morning so made some pseudo naans to go with @withoutaleaf’s channa masala. Ended up a big lunch. They ain’t naans, but it’s close enough for corporations. I should make them more often.

Today marked two years of our weekly bird count at the Liesbeek Confluence. Terna has had me up for it at 6:30 this year - excruciating for me except that it’s close to the dawn and the light is beautiful. Also Ana had hot rooibos tea and it was a treat sitting on the grass with them and looking out at this familiar scene.